Hey, I'm Emma. You don't need to know much about me, mostly because there's nothing to know. I was abandoned on the side of the road as a baby by my 'prize winner' of a pair of parents. Other than that, I was a foster kid, passed around from family to family more than a bong in a frat house. You can say it made me guarded, un-able to trust, closed off… the list can go on and on.
I have never stayed somewhere more than a year, except with an ex of mine, Neal, in Tallahassee. Who is also a 'prize winner'; I mean I should have known because I met him while I was stealing a car… That he happened to steal first... Yes, I stole a stolen car. A little yellow VW Bug. Neal and I were madly in love, until he knocked me up, and sold me out to the cops. There was still a few good years with him before all of that happened. But it just makes me want to punch him in the nuts if I think about it too long, I mean he used me. It at least feels that way.
Any way getting off that topic, it's my birthday today. I'm 28. I almost forgot except I knew I had a 'date' for the evening… a man named Ryan. It's not a real date, it's my job. I'm meeting him in… damn I've got to get ready. I rummaged through my selection of clothes; I ended up wearing a tight hot pink dress that really amplified my… assets.
I got there late, only by a couple of minutes. There he was, handsome, smiling, and getting up from the table to greet me. I put on my best show face and took his hand to shake. "Emma?" he said with a charming little smile. "Ryan?" I asked. "You look relieved." I added with a smile back at him. "Uh, well. It is the internet." He said as he pulled the chair out for me then continued to sit down in his own seat.
"You know, pictures can be-" I cut him off. "Fake, outdated. Stolen from a Victoria secret catalog." We both laughed. "Exactly, so… um, tell me something about yourself, Emma." I wasn't expecting that.
"Oh, uh, well… todays my birthday." I was hesitant to tell him that. "And you're spending it with me? What about your friends?" I answered truthfully, no point in lying to the man. "I'm Kind of a loner." I saw him think just a second before speaking again. "And… you don't like your family?" why lie about that either? "No family to like." I said matter of fact. "Oh, come on. Everyone has a family."
I know that you idiot. I'm not fucking dumb ass. "Technically, yeah, but not everyone knows who they are." I paused a moment. "Ready to run yet?" I said knowing he would soon. "Oh, not a chance." He smiled at me. "You, Emma, are by far, the sexiest, friendless orphan that I have ever met." We both laughed.
"Okay. Your turn." I stated. He was about to answer when I cut him off "No, wait. Let me guess." He waited for me to continue "Um, you are handsome, charming…" I started "Go, on" he said liking where I was headed.
"The kind of guy who—and now stop me if I get this wrong—Embezzled from your employer, got arrested, and skipped town before they were able to throw your ass in jail." He chuckled. Obviously taken back by what I said. "What?" he smiled. "And the worst part of all of this is your wife." His smile went away and he looked down. "Your wife who loves you so much that she bailed you out, and how do you repay that loyalty? You're on a date." He dropped his whole act. "Who are you?" he asked shortly after I stopped talking. "The chick who put up the rest of the money." It finally clicked in his brain.
"You're a Bail Bondsman?" He said. "Bail Bondsperson." I corrected. He laughed, looked down at his hands then with no warning needed flipped the table and started sprinting out the door. "Ugh" I sighed in irritation at the fact he got wine on my dress. "Really?" why do they always fucking run. I walked after him. He ran into traffic and I followed, nearly getting hit in the process. I heard him try and unlock his car and get in. I didn't run because his silver "I'm overcompensating for something" sports car had a big yellow boot on it, and trust me he wasn't going anywhere. When he realized it was too late for him, he tried to negotiate.
"Look you don't have to do this, okay? I can pay you, I've got money." Bullshit. "No, you don't, and even if you did, you should give it to your wife to take care of your family." He paused. "What the hell do you know about family, huh?" I didn't hesitate to smash his face into the steering wheel of his car before answering truthfully. "Nothing."
After all of the events today, I decided to stop by a little dessert place near my apartment to get something for my birthday. I got one simple vanilla cupcake with vanilla frosting. It was only me anyway, why buy a whole cake? As soon as I got into my apartment I pried my heels off with my feet and left them where they dropped, I went to the island in the kitchen and opened my box containing the single cupcake. I set it on the table in front of me and lit the tiny star shaped, blue candle. I crossed my arms and leaned forward on the table standing still. I watched my cupcake for a moment. "Another Banner year." I shut my eyes, and for the first time since I was little. I wished.
My doorbell rang waking me from my state of self-pity, I went to answer it and I didn't see anyone until I looked down. "Uh, can I help you?" I asked awkwardly to the kid standing at my door. "Are you Emma Swan?" the boy asked. "Yeah. Who are you?" I questioned utterly confused. "My name's Henry. I'm your son." He said with a smile. I looked at him for a second before he ran into my apartment. "Whoa. Hey, kid. Kid. Kid!" I said before he turned around.
"I don't have a son. Where are your parents?" he didn't answer what I asked. "Ten years ago, did you give up a baby for adoption? That was me." He said. "Can you give me a minute?" I answered as I locked myself in the bathroom. This can't be real. I'm going to pass out- "hey, you have any juice?" holy fuck… it is real. "Never mind, found some." He yelled from the kitchen. As I walked out of the bathroom I saw him putting down the bottle of orange juice. "You know, we should probably get going." He said fixing his jacket. "Going where?" I asked with my arms crossed. "I want you to come home with Me." he said with a smile. "Okay kid, I'm calling the cops." I stated as I went to grab a phone.
"Then I'll tell them you kidnapped me." He replied. "And they'll believe you because I'm the birth mother." I clicked end on the phone. "Yup." He replied. "You're not gonna do that." I said calling out his bluff. "Try me." He answered.
"You're pretty good, but here's the thing. There is not a lot I'm great at in life, but I have one skill. Let's call it a super power. I can tell when anyone is lying. And you, kid, are." I started to dial again but then he spoke. "Wait. Please don't call the cops. Please. Come home with me." He begged. "Where's home?" I asked. I can't believe I'm even considering this. "StoryBrooke, Maine." He replied. "StoryBrooke? Seriously?" I asked skeptically. He nodded.
"All righty then, let's get you back to StoryBrooke." What else should I have done? Left him in the city alone?
I've been driving for two hours, Henry is talking non-stop and not losing any steam.
"I'm hungry; do you want to stop somewhere?" He asked. I continued looking ahead. "This is not a road trip. We are not stopping for snacks." I stated just wanting to be there already. "Why not?" he asked. "Quit complaining, kid. Remember, I could have put your butt on a bus, I still could." A very tempting offer right at this moment too. "You know, I have a name. It's Henry."
I sighed and looked over at him for a second. Maybe I'm not being so nice. "What's that?" I said leaning my head in the direction of his lap where a huge brown book rested. "I'm not sure you're ready." What the hell is he talking abou- "Ready for some fairytales? "I asked somewhat curious and somewhat amused.
"They're not fairytales, they're true. Every story in this book actually happened." He's just a kid, maybe I should just play along or whatever. "Of, course it did." I don't think I sound too convincing. "Use your super power, see if I'm lying." Henry challenged. He really believes in this. "Just because you believe something doesn't make it true." I said trying to make him see a little.
"That's exactly what makes it true. You should know more than anyone." I thought for a second. "Why is that?" I said in a tone that was probably a little more sarcastic than I'd like to think. "Because you're in this book." He replied. "Oh, kid. You've got problems." I stated after his announcement. "Yup. And you're gonna fix them."
After a long while of driving it started to rain down hard, my windshield wipers at their fastest couldn't make me see much clearer. At this point, Henry is out like a light clutching his book. I laid my jacket over him and put the book on the floor by his feet. Another hour later I was staring at the 'Welcome to StoryBrooke' road sign. Without another thought I drove in to town and woke Henry.
"Okay, kid. How about an address?" I suggested as I pulled up to a red light. The light soon after turned green and I continued. "44 I'm-Not-Telling-You-Street." I hit the brakes and stopped short, getting out of the car and slamming the door in frustration. Henry gets out shortly after me. "Look, it's been a long night." I stated as I looked up at the clock tower trying to read it, "And it's almost… 8:15?" I said after I read the- obviously wrong- time. "That clock hasn't moved in my whole life. Time's frozen here." What is this kid saying? "Excuse me?" I asked hoping he would explain.
"The Evil Queen did it with her curse. She sent everyone from the enchanted forest here." Does he even realize how ridiculous that sounds? I crossed my arms. "Hang on. An evil queen sent a bunch of fairytale characters here?" I said skeptically. "Yeah, and now they're trapped." He answered.
"Frozen in time and stuck in StoryBrooke, Maine-that's what you're going with?" I said incredulously. "It's true." He pleaded. "Then why doesn't everybody just leave?" I said going along with it. "They can't. If they try, bad things happen." I just stared at him.
"Henry." A voice called out behind me. "What are you doing here?" the tall man with reddish hair asked as he jogged up to us. He was holding a closed umbrella in one hand and a huge Dalmatian at the other end of the leash. "Is everything alright?" the man asked.
"I'm Fine, Archie." Henry told him as he bent down to pet the spotted dog between its ears.
"Who's this?" the tall man asked. "Just someone trying to give him a ride home." I replied. "Oh, she's my mom, Archie." Henry told him. I shifted uncomfortably in my spot. "Oh, I see." Archie said after a second. "Do you know where he lives?" I asked. "Uh, yeah, sure. Just right up on Mifflin Street. The mayor's house is the biggest one on the block." I looked down at Henry. "You're the mayors kid?" I asked, dumbfounded. "Uh, Maybe." He replied looking down and to his right.
"Hey, where were you today, Henry? Cause you missed our session." Archie asked, effectively keeping me from calling out Henry for not telling me his mother is the mayor. "Oh, well, I forgot to tell you, I went on a fieldtrip." Archie looked at me, and then bent down to eye level with Henry.
"Henry… What did I tell you about lying? Giving into one's dark side never accomplishes anything."
I just want to sleep, so I cut their conversation short. "Okay. Well, I really should be getting him home." I am being much nicer than I usually am. Sleep deprivation maybe? "Yeah, sure." He said getting off his knee and standing up. "Well, listen, have a good night, and, uh, you be good, Henry." He stated as he playfully punched Henry's arm and walked on down the street whistling.
I looked back at henry when Archie was a good four feet from us. "So that's your shrink?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer. "I'm not crazy." He stated. "I didn't say that, just… he doesn't seem cursed to me. Maybe he's just trying to help you." I can tell that Henry knows I think this is all a big joke.
"He's the one who needs help, because he doesn't know." I cut his sentence short. "That he's a fairytale character?" he answered immediately after I was done. "None of them do. They don't remember who they are." I sighed. "Convenient. All right, I'll play. Who's he supposed to be?" I said referring to Archie as henry and I got into the car.
"Jiminy Cricket." He replied without hesitating. "Right. The lying thing. I thought your nose grew a little bit." I shut the car door behind me. "I'm not Pinocchio." He said after he too got in the car. "Of course you're not, cause that would be ridiculous." I said sarcastically out loud to myself.
As soon as we were both in the car and ready I stepped on the gas, StoryBrooke isn't such a huge place and Mifflin Street was just left of where we were. It didn't take long at all to get to the huge house that Archie described, and wow, was he right. It's a huge white house with black trimmings and a widow's walk on the second floor. I got out of the car and Henry wouldn't move, I stopped walking and went to the passenger's side. "Come on, kid. Up." I told him. He slowly slid out of the seat, like someone wanting to waste all the time they have before getting yelled at. "Now." I stated. He finally let out a frustrated sigh and got out of the car.
He followed me to the gate before he spoke again. "Please don't take me back there." He begged.
"I have to. I'm sure your parents are worried sick about you." I said still walking toward the front door to the house. "I don't have parents—just a mom, and she's evil." I stopped short and turned toward Henry. "Evil? That's a bit extreme, isn't it?" I said trying to get him home. "She is. She doesn't love me. She only pretends to." This kid really believes that? "Kid," I sighed and bent down to eye level. "I'm sure that's not true."
He was about to say something when a woman's voice called from the door and ran over to him, relief obviously on her face "Henry?" Her voice was cracking. "Oh, Henry." She squeezed him in a hug. "Are you okay?" she separated the hug but held on to his shoulders looking at him. "Where have you been?!" she stood up and looked at me. "What happened?" she asked, she then turned her head back to Henry. I couldn't help but notice how well kept she looked, from her shoulder length black hair, to her neutral grey dress that made her look, I want to say older, but I think the term is mature.
"I FOUND MY REAL MOM!" Henry yelled as he ran into the house, my eyes followed him and I saw someone else was with us, I obviously don't know his name but he's a very handsome man wearing a sheriff's badge. Henry's mother looked at me, hurt evident in her eyes. She was staring straight at me; she shook her head in bewilderment and shock at the words coming out of her own mouth. "y-you're Henry's birth mother?" she said with a tear.
"Hi." I answered uncomfortably; I'm not good with sad people.
"I'll just go and check on the lad, make sure he's alright." The sheriff said. I did not realize he was British. But it's a nice surprise. Henry's mom looked me up and down, it was hard to tell whether she was sizing me up or checking me out. I chose to ignore both possibilities, it doesn't mean anything, and she was most likely just trying to see the resemblance between her son and I. There really isn't any though, he looks more like his father.
Her mood shifted almost immediately and she put on an obvious fake smile. I don't blame her for covering up her emotions, I do the same thing. "How would you like a glass of the best apple cider you ever tasted?" her posture, and vocal change was a little unnerving. I looked at her mouth, and saw a twitch of a smile, she had a small scar on the upper left side of her lip, and it added a certain amount of mystery. "Got anything stronger?" I half joked.
I followed her to what looked like an office. I stood at the doorway. "How did he find me?" I asked, hoping she would know. "No idea," she started, she grabbed two glass cups from her counter, "when I adopted him, he was only 3 weeks old. The records were sealed. I was told the birth mother didn't want to have any contact." Her back was still turned pouring the apple cider. "You were told right." I shifted in my spot. It's a bad habit I have when a situation gets uncomfortable. "And the father?" she asked still pouring the liquid.
"There was one." I said thinking of Neal for a second. "Do I need to be worried about him?" she asked adding ice. "Nope. He doesn't even know." I shifted again. She turned around gracefully and started walking over. "Do I need to be worried about you, Ms. Swan?" she asked handing me the glass of cider, I couldn't help but notice that our fingers touched when she gave me the glass, it sent a tingle up my arm, And I almost dropped the cup on the floor. "Absolutely not." I shifted again, not knowing this time, why exactly I was uncomfortable.
"Madame Mayor, you can relax. Other than being a tired little boy, Henry's fine." The sheriff assured her as he walked down the stairs to where we were. "Thank you, sheriff" she said to him. He shifted and then looked at her to say something, but without another word, he left. And in that moment, I sensed there was more going on between them.
"I'm sorry he dragged you out of your life. I really don't know what's gotten into him." she said referring to Henry as she walked me to another office-y looking room. "Kid's having a rough time. It happens." I replied as she shut the door behind us. "You have to understand, ever since I became Mayor, balancing things has been tricky." I took a sip of the apple cider, and she was right it's great.
"You have a job, I assume?" she added. At this point I was already sitting, she was standing behind me at a fire place mantle. I turned toward her "uh, I keep busy, yeah." I tuned back to the table and put my drink down. "Imagine having another job on top of it." She added as she walked to the seat in front of me and sat down quite gracefully.
"That's being a single mom, so I push for order." She stated. She let out a little chuckle, and then continued. "Am I strict? I suppose, but I do it for his own good. I want Henry to excel in life." Her features softened "I don't think that makes me evil, do you?" her eye's pleaded for me to believe her.
I don't think she's evil, she's just a single mom doing what it takes. She's way more cut out for this than I ever was… or will be… "I'm sure he's just saying that because of the fairytale thing." I grabbed my drink from the table again. "What fairytale thing?" she doesn't know? "Oh, you know, his book, how he thinks everyone's a cartoon character from it, like his shrink is Jiminy Cricket." I laughed as the words came out of my mouth. she looked confused. "I'm sorry. I really have no idea what you're talking about." I can tell that she doesn't, so I try and skip the awkward part of explaining.
"You know what? It's none of my business. He's your kid, and I really should be heading back." Before I could finish the sip, I was about to take she stood up and went to the door. "Of course." I put the cup that was at my lips in mid gulp, down. I awkwardly and stood and walked out of the door she was throwing me out of, she let me out first then walked out behind me. We got to the front door before she spoke again. "Goodbye Ms. Swan." She said, giving me one more look before shutting the door practically in my face.
I grabbed the keys out of my back pocket, I don't know why exactly, but I chanced a look at the second-floor window. I saw Henry; after he saw me too he left out of view and shut his lights.
I slowly walked to my car that was parked out front and got in. I drove for twenty minutes until I was near the 'you are now leaving StoryBrooke' road sign. I was just thinking when I shifted my view to the passenger's seat. "Sneaky bastard." I said out loud as I saw Henrys book, he knew I would go back and return it. I looked back at the road and saw a huge grey wolf; I gasped, hit on the breaks and swerved to avoid hitting it. The last thing I remember is smashing my head into the window.
I heard whistling; I sprung my eyes open and turned to the source of the noise. "What are you looking at, sister?" a small man with a beard asked grumpily. I took in my surroundings; I was in a jail cell. "Hey, Leroy. Manners. We have a guest." An older man with a thick Italian accent stated, turning to me and continuing. "So, you are, eh, Henry's mother? How lovely for him to have you back in his life." The older man said getting closer to my cage. "Actually, I was just dropping him off." I corrected as I rubbed my head, there's a huge bump from when I banged it last night. The angry man in the cell next to me scoffed, "Don't blame ya, they're all brats. Who needs 'em?" The older man lowered his coffee and stared daggers at Leroy. "Well I'd give anything for one." He then turned to me and continued. "My wife and I—we tried for many years, but, uh… it was not meant to be." He zoned out, probably thinking. "Well, cry me a river." the grumpy man said.
Just at that moment the handsome sheriff walked in, I still don't know his name. "Leroy, I'm going to let you out. You need to behave." He jangled the keys and unlocked the door, "Put on a smile, and stay out of trouble." He opened the door and waited; Leroy then put on this serial killer smile, and walked out. Once the man was gone the sheriff looked at me. I spoke first. "Seriously?" I said, referring to me being in a jail cell. "Regina's drinks- a little stronger than we thought." He said. Huh, her names Regina. She kicked me out so quick she never introduced herself.
"I wasn't drunk. There was a wolf standing in the middle of the road." I said calmly, and truthfully.
"A wolf. Right." He said condescendingly, a familiar voice of worry started from behind the officer. "Graham, Henry's run away again. We have to—what is she doing here?" Regina asked… finally I know his name. Graham. Eh, I don't like it. I thought it would be… Hunter, or Travis, you know something woodsy or lumber-Jacky.
She got closer to my cell. "Do you know where he is?" she asked accusingly. "Lady, I haven't seen him since I dropped him at your house, and I have a pretty good alibi." I stated gesturing to the situation I was in.
"Yeah, well, he wasn't in his room this morning." She said. "Did you try his friends?" I asked trying to help. "He doesn't really have any. He's kind of a loner." At those words, my mind wondered for a second, I suddenly remembered my childhood. "Every kid has friends; did you check his computer? If he's close to someone, he'd be emailing them." I suggested still thinking. "And you know this how?" she asked unconvinced of my abilities.
"Finding people's what I do. Here's an idea. How about you guys let me out, and I'll help you find him?"
After finally being let out and free, Graham, Regina, and I went back to her house, when we got there Regina led the way to Henry's room. This kid has got it good, Huge room, toys, so many books. My eyes went to the computer in the corner of the room, I logged on, which wasn't too hard because he didn't have a password. I immediately check his history and inbox.
"Smart kid, he cleared his inbox." I said looking at Graham, who sat down next to me. I looked back to the computer. "I'm smart, too." I said pulling out a flash drive, "A little hard disk recovery utility I like to use." I put the flash drive into the computer. "I'm a bit more old-fashioned in my techniques—pounding the pavement, knocking on doors, that sort of thing." He replied making conversation. "Well you're on salary, I get paid for delivery. Pounding pavement is not a luxury that I get." I said still looking for clues.
"Huh, there's a receipt for a website—it's expensive. He has a credit card?" I asked as I read the website information. "He's 10." Regina stated with her left hand on her hip. "Well he used one. Let's pull up a transaction record." I said pulling it up on the screen "Mary-Margret Blanchard. Who's Mary-Margret Blanchard?" I asked turning to Regina. "Henry's teacher." She stated coolly.
Graham got a call and had to leave. Regina decided it would just be easier to take her car to the school, we drove silently, and you could cut the tension with a knife. "So how about some music?" I asked reaching for the radio and trying to break the silence. "I like quiet." She stated. I put my arm down. "this is gonna be fun" I said sarcastically to myself. "For your information Ms. Swan, I can hear you. And secondly were not here to have fun we're here to find my son.
she kept a steady gaze at the road." And by the way miss Swan fun is for children. Not two female adults sitting way to close to each other in a car." I replied quicker than I could control. "I could think of ways that could be fun." She looked over with a cocked head and raised brow as if to say really? A lesbian joke? "I mean like Singing along to Beyoncé." I clarified, I laughed awkwardly to cut the tension and the rest of the car ride was toxically quiet.
we got out of the car and I followed Regina inside the building to Henry's classroom, kids were rushing out and I stayed back, I saw Regina walk through them, she touched a young boy's back gently as she passed. After the children were gone I heard speaking. "Ms. Mills, what are you doing here?" I stepped in the room and saw a woman with short black hair, pale skin, and green eyes. For some reason being here made me emotional. "Where is my son?" Regina asked accusingly, putting her bag down on the desk.
"Henry? I assumed he was home sick with you." She said. "You think I'd be here if he was? Did you give him your credit card so he can find her?" Regina asked nodding her head toward me. Mary-Margret looked at me, for some reason my stomach dropped. "I'm sorry. Who are you?" I thought about what to say, "I'm his… I'm… his…" Regina interrupted. "The woman who gave him up for adoption." I stood still taking in this complete stranger's reaction; why do I care what she thinks? She took out her purse and looked for her wallet. "You don't know anything about this, do you?" I asked from where I was standing.
"No, unfortunately not." She looked in her wallet. "Clever boy, I should never have given him that book." She shook her head, thinking. "What in the hell is this book I keep hearing about?" Regina asked angrily. "Just some old stories I gave him. As you well know, Henry is a special boy—so smart, so creative, and as you might be aware… lonely." I thought back again, he grew up like me, only he actually has people who care about him. "He needed it." Mary-Margret continued. "What he needs is a dose of reality. This is a waste of time." Regina stated as she turned around and knocked over a stack of books on purpose, "Have a nice trip back to Boston." she said as she sped past me and walked out of the door.
Mary-Margret and I immediately ran to pick up the books that were pushed over, "Sorry to bother you." I said apologizing for Regina's rude behavior. "No, it's…" she looked at me and paused for a moment. "It's okay. I fear this is partially my fault." She said finishing her sentence.
We continued picking everything up. "How's a book supposed to help?" I asked referring to henry's loneliness. "What do you think stories are for? These stories. The classics? There's a reason we all know them." She replied as we got up. "They're a way for us to deal with our world, a world that doesn't always make sense." She opened the door Regina slammed shut, and then continued on.
"See, Henry hasn't had the easiest life." No shit Regina's a crazy bitch. "Yeah, she's kind of a hard-ass." I stated. "No, it's more than her." She continued as we turned down the hallway. "He's like any adopted child. He wrestles with that most basic question they all inevitably face—'why would anyone give me away?'—Oh, my god. I am so sorry. I'm so sorry, I didn't mean in any way to judge you." She said remembering that I was the one to give him away. I just looked at her knowing how right she was. "It's okay." I said.
"Look, I gave the book to him because I wanted Henry to have the most important thing anyone can have… Hope. Believing in even the possibility of a happy ending is a very powerful thing." I looked at her. "You know where he is, don't you?" I asked knowing for some reason she would. "You might want to check his castle." Could she be vaguer?
After asking Mary-Margret for all the details and an address, I was at Henry's 'castle'. It was a large wooden play-thing, that kids go on… it looks like no one has gone on it in a very long time, and might actually break if I step on the poor thing. The beach it's on is very pretty, with minimal garbage and clean sand, I parked my car a couple of minutes ago in the designated parking-lot and grabbed his book from the front seat.
I took a breath in before I saw Henry, he was sitting on the edge of the nearly broken jungle gym looking sad, I climbed the stairs and walked next to him, I sat down and dangled my feet off the side to match his position. "You left this in my car." I said as I handed Henry his book. He took it back but didn't say anything, instead he looked toward town square, where the clock tower is visible. "still hasn't moved, huh?" I asked, trying to get him to respond. "I was hoping that when I brought you back, things would change here, that the final battle would begin." And he lost me again. "I'm not fighting any battles, kid." I told him. "yes, you are. You're here because it's your destiny. You're gonna bring back the happy endings." I'm almost so done with this shit. "Can you cut it with the book crap?" I asked.
"you don't have to be hostile. I know you like me. I can tell. You're just pushing me away because I make you feel guilty. It's okay. I know why you gave me away." I paused and really looked at him. "You wanted to give me my best chance." I stared blankly in front of us taking what he said to heart. "How do you know that?" I asked, secretly glad he knew that was the reason. "it's the same reason Snow White gave you away."
I can't deal with this. "Listen to me, kid. I am not in any book. I'm a real person. And I'm no savior. You were right about one thing, though… I wanted you to have your best chance, but it's not with me." I felt a tear slip down my right cheek, "come on. let's go." I said sliding down from where I was sitting, and starting to walk. "Please don't take me back there. Just stay with me for one week. That's all I ask. One week and you'll see I'm not crazy." He begged. "I have to get you back to your mom." I told him. "you don't know what it's like with her. My life sucks!" I stopped and looked at him.
"Oh, you want to know what sucking is? Being left abandoned on the side of a freeway. My parents didn't even bother to drop me off at a hospital." I started to cry. "I ended up in the foster system and I had a family until I was 3, but then they had their own kid, so they sent me back." I sighed. that part of my life fucking sucked.
"Look…" I said continuing and leaning down to eye level with Henry. "your mom is trying her best. I know it's hard, and I know sometimes you think she doesn't love you, but at least she wants you." I feel like an emotional wreck. I don't think anything will help right now, I just want to cry and go home—"your parents didn't leave you on the side of the freeway. That's just where you came through." Henry said. how do I respond to that?
"What?" I decided on. "the wardrobe. When you went through the wardrobe, you appeared in the street. Your parents were trying to save you from the curse." And just like that, my day got better.
"Sure, they were." I said letting out I small smile as I wiped away my tears. I chuckled. He really did make me feel better. "Come on, Henry." I said standing straight and walking toward my car, Henry followed, and surprised me when I felt small hand grab mine.
The drive was quiet and enjoyable, Henry opened his book and read and I enjoyed the quiet, thinking how much better my life would be If my brain worked like his. When we got to the Mayor's house Regina greeted us at the door. Henry ran passed her and went upstairs, she turned trying to look at him, then shortly after turned to me. "Thank you." She took a few steps out the door.
"No problem." I answered. "He seems to have taken quite a shine to you." Regina replied, I laughed, he actually made me feel important and - I know I'm going to regret saying this— happy… "You know what's kind of crazy? Yesterday was my birthday, and when I blew out the candle on this cupcake I bought myself, I actually made a wish. that I didn't have to be alone on my birthday. And then Henry showed up." I couldn't contain my smile at those last words.
"I hope there's no misunderstanding here." She said, "I'm sorry?" I asked not quite getting it, and still thinking about Henry. "Don't mistake all this as an invitation back into his life." Regina cleared up.
"Oh." I replied, that actually hurt me. "Miss Swan, you made a decision ten years ago. And in the last decade, while you've been… well, who knows what you've been doing. I've changed every diaper, soothed every fever, endured every tantrum. You may have given birth to him, but he is my son." Her words were like being stabbed through the heart. I didn't even expect anything. "I was not-" she interrupted me. "No, you don't get to speak. You don't get to do anything. You gave up that right when you tossed him away." She stepped into my personal space.
"Do you know what a closed adoption is? It's what you asked for. You have no legal right to Henry, and you're gonna be held to that. "I could feel my face tense and turn from one of sad confusion to my "I'm gonna punch this bitch" face. she continued. "So, I suggest you get in your car and you leave this town, because if you don't, I will destroy you if it is the last thing I do." Did this hoe just threaten me? Oh hell no. "Good- bye, Miss Swan." She turned around and walked toward the front door. "Do you love him?" I asked when she got into the doorway. "Excuse me?" she asked. "Henry. Do you love him?" in an instant her eyes got cold. "Of course, I love him." She went inside and shut the door. I'm not sure If I believe her I but I am sure I just found my arch nemesis. It's that simple.
-REGINA'S P.O.V.-
How dare she, of course I love my son. I just want what's best for him. And the only way that can happen is if Miss Swan gets the hell away from him. Call me selfish, or possessive, or cold hearted. It wouldn't be wrong. I lost my self a long time ago, I lost my life, my love, and my happiness… that's why everyone else also has to be unhappy… unfortunately so is Henry, the only person I cared about was myself, until I adopted him.
But old habits die hard, and it may seem like I don't care. I can't help that. I have him in therapy. That should help more than I ever could… maybe if I was in therapy when I was younger I would be different. But such things weren't so in the enchanted forest… the closest thing we had was that god-awful cricket, Jimney and he was up the Charming's asses. And although it pains me to have my son go to him, at least in this world he has a degree.
I went into Henry's room, 'the book' everyone knew about besides myself was next to his computer. I took it. I got into my room and sat on the bed. I hope this isn't what I think it is… fuck. I spent the whole night reading it, and if I must say so myself I look pretty hot as a drawing. But this is bad. I was almost done with the book when I found out pages were missing, I knew something was wrong. What did he do to them!? I need to see those damn pages.
-EMMA'S P.O.V.-
Against Regina's wishes I decided to stay. I parked my car in front of Granny's bed and breakfast and walked in. "You're out all night and now you're going out again." I heard a woman say. "I should have moved to Boston!" a younger girls voice screamed. "I'm sorry that my heart attack interfered with your plans to sleep your way down the Eastern Seaboard." the older woman retorted as the young woman with black hair turned into another room to avoid the fight.
"Excuse me?" I said softly.
The older woman turned around. "I'd like a room." The young woman came back at my words. "Really?" they both said in unison. "Would you like a forest view or a square view?" she ran to get something but continued speaking. "Normally, there's an upgrade fee for the square, but as rent is due I'll wave it." She returned to the front desk with a sign-up book. "Square is fine." I said. She opened the book and dust came flying out. "Now… what's the name?" she asked. "Swan. Emma Swan." She went to write when a male voice spoke. "Emma." I turned to see a man with long greasy hair, a gold tooth, and a cane behind me. "what a lovely name." he said finishing his sentence. "Thanks." I said accepting the creepy man's complement. The older woman, who I'm assuming is Granny, handed the guy a stack of money. "It's all here." She said. She looked scared but confident. "Yes, yes, of course. Yes, dear, thank you." He said half distracted. I didn't realize he had an accent, it sounds scottish-ish." He turned to me again. "Enjoy your stay… Emma." The way he said my name gave me the willy's, I'm not gonna lie.
He turned and left, making scary eye contact with the young woman. "Who's that?" I asked Granny after he shut the door. The younger woman wound up answering. "Mr. Gold. He owns this place." I thought for a second. "The inn?" I asked. "No. The Town." Granny answered. "So how long will you be staying with us?" she asked changing the subject. "A week. Just a week." That's all Henry wants. Just a week.
"Great!" she smiled and handed me a room key. "Welcome to StoryBrooke."
"Leave, Miss Swan. Or I will have to make you." Regina threatened, stepping into my personal space. I stared her down, feeling a warm tingling rage in my stomach.
"Well, I guess you'll just have to make me, Madam Mayor." Regina's eyes grew dark, and she walked me up against the nearest wall. My heart was pounding hard. I have never been this angry. I could smell her breath in my nose and a bubbling fury grew inside me with each exhale. We glared at each other, it felt like a thousand years but it was surely only seconds.
"Oh, you better believe I'm going to make you, Miss Swan."
My eyes shot open, and I realized I was dreaming, I wiped my eye boogies away and tried to remember what happened. No such luck. But I feel hot and bothered right now I mean. That dream must've been a good one.
Trying to clear my mind I went to the window. The clock tower started working. Henry must be so happy.
- REGINA P.O.V. -
Those missing pages are fucking me up, I need to find out. I walked in to henry's bedroom; he was in front of the mirror fixing the tie on his school uniform. I opened the book to where the pages were obviously torn out. "The missing pages, where are they?" I asked. "It's an old book. Stuff's missing. What do you care?" he replied, turning around and walking away. "I care because you think I'm some evil queen." I know it's true… but he's not allowed to think of me that way. "And that hurts me, Henry. I'm your mother." I continued, touching his face softly. He should just love me! Evil queen or not.
"No, you're not." He pulled away and started walking. "Well then, who is?" I asked. I am his mom. I raised him. Not that blonde bimbo. "That woman you brought here? I don't like what she and this book are doing to you. Thankfully both are no longer an issue." I said feeling confident my threat to Miss Swan worked, and that she should be in Boston by now. I looked at Henry… he's hiding something. "What?" I asked. Just then, I heard a bell ring out, and this isn't just any bell. It's the clock tower's bell.
Time is moving again. It's not possible unless… shit, the savior…
I turned back to Henry, only to find he was gone. I went to my room and threw on a loose fitting turquoise dress. It's comfortable, but also nice enough to attend any business transaction that will occur. On the way out the door I put on my light grey trench coat and grabbed my purse. I drove into town and stepped out of the car. I walked right up to the clock tower and just looked at it, completely dumbfounded that it's working.
"Hey, how about that? Jimn-I mean, -Archie said as he walked up next to me. He always has that damn umbrella, and that spotted cur. I stood silently, and he continued. "I guess those rusty old innards finally worked them self's out, huh?" I turned around on him suddenly, about to attack, till I realized it wouldn't be appropriate, I saw miss swan's beat down buggy in the corner of my eye, and shifted my full attention to it. I turned back when I realized Mr. Hopper was waiting for an answer from me. "Yes. How about that, indeed." I said dismissively, walking to my car and slamming the door shut as I got in. I've never been this infuriated in my life!
Miss Swan will pay for her actions if she doesn't leave soon.
I pulled up to my house a few moments later. I walked to the door and used the house key to open it. As soon as I got inside I realized how exhausted I was from not sleeping the night before. I decided all I need to do is take a nap and then I could think of ways to get Miss Swan to leave.
I took off my jacket and dress then tucked myself into bed, everything felt so comfortable and I fell asleep within minutes.
"Leave, Miss Swan. Or I will have to make you." I threatened. Stepping close to assert my dominance. I stared her down, I felt my body hum with rage.
"Well, I guess you'll just have to make me, Madam Mayor."
I felt my eyes blacken, and stalked her up against the wall. My Lungs were shaking, I was fighting for an even breath. I stared at Ms. Swan my pounding wrath filled heart slowed down time to a stop I looked at her lips and my hands balled up into felt like if I didn't punch her I'd do something just as damaging.
"Oh, you better believe I'm going to make you, Miss Swan."
I woke up but I didn't open my eyes just yet. I tried to remember the dream I was having but unfortunately all I remember about it was that I was very aroused.
I had finally thought of the perfect way to get rid of emma.
I rehearsed what I was going to say all the way to Granny's bed & breakfast. Miss Swan's car is parked right in front. I walked in and saw the old bat at her desk. I handpicked some apples from my tree to make my threat seem less threatening. I politely asked what room she was in and walked to her door. I knocked and waited at least four minutes for her to answer. What the hell is she doing in there?
- EMMA'S P.O.V. -
I heard knocking at my door. Shit. I'm stark naked right now. I've been going through phases of sleeping and flickin' the bean all morning. I threw on a black bra and white wife beater
Of course, when I actually have company I can't find any pants. I threw on a random red thong, I have no time to find anything less skimpy right now because I have to answer the door before whoever this is leaves, I swear it's been like 5 minutes, I grabbed my coffee from the counter and swung open the door.
"Did you know the Honey Crisp Tree is the most vigorous and hardy of all apple trees?" I cocked my head to the side, this sounded way too rehearsed. She saw my attire, and ignored it. Almost too well. she put on a fake smile and continued her little speech. "It can survive temperatures as low as 40 below and keep growing. It can weather any storm. I have one that I've tended to since I was a little girl…" she reached into the basket delicately and deliberately and picked an apple from the top. "And to this day I have yet to taste anything more delicious than the fruit it offers." She handed it over to me and I accepted it awkwardly. "Thanks." I said. "I'm sure you'll enjoy them on your drive home. She replied handing me the whole basket. "Actually, I'm gonna stay for a while." I handed her apples back. I promised Henry. The last thing I want is to hurt the kid. "I'm not sure that's such a good idea. Henry has enough issues. He doesn't need you confusing him." Please, cut the bull shit. "All due respect, Madame Mayor, the fact that you have now threatened me twice in the past 12 hours makes me want to stay more." I stated truthfully, challenging her to do it again. "Since when were apples a threat?" she asked innocently. "I can read between the lines. Sorry. I just want to make sure henry's okay." I told her. "He's fine, dear. Any problems he has are being taken care of." I interrupted her. "What does that mean?" I said.
"It means, I have him in therapy. It's all under control." Therapy huh, might be good to check in with his shrink and see what he can tell me about what Henry's going through. "Take my advice Miss Swan, only one of us knows what's best for Henry."
"Yeah, I'm starting to think you're right about that." I retorted. "It's time for you to go." she said as her smile dropped. "Or what?" I replied. She stepped forward too close for comfort. "Don't underestimate me Miss Swan. You have no idea what I'm capable of…" A familiar feeling welled up and I ignored it. "Good-Bye again." And without another word she turned and left.
REGINA POV
"The 'Mirror' strikes again!" spoke Sidney. I continued looking at my apple tree unamused "you're late."
"Sorry I wanted to bring you the latest edition." I continued placing the apple I had just picked into my basket while he continued on. "I assure you its one of my better hatchet jobs." I finally looked over and took the news paper he was holding. "that's not what I asked for." The headline read 'stranger destroys historic sign (alcohol involved)'
"what'd you find out about her?" I requested moving the conversation forward. He jogged in front of me to capture my attention and I kept reading "well, truth be told there wasn't much. She spent a lot of time in foster homes." I scoffed audibly and turned back to my tree. "uh, she got into some trouble when she was a kid, but the details are locked up pretty tight. Since then, she's clean. Bounced around all over. The only thing I really learned was that she doesn't like to sit still." I put the second apple I had picked while he gabbed on about nothing next to the first. "that appears to have changed." I replied as I went back to my tree. I heard him sigh and continue "d-did you know that, um, she had Henry while she was in Phoenix? How'd he wind up here in Maine?" I didn't answer his question.
"So, if I'm understanding you correctly, you found nothing of value, which means you have no value, Sydney. Do you know what I do with things that hold no value to me? I throw them away."
He looked rightfully terrified and stuttered through his sentence. "I-I-I'll keep looking."
He walked away and I continued reading the paper
EMMA POV
I sat in grannies at the bar reading the paper for the second time. I almost bit in to the apple Regina gave me when the young brunette granddaughter of granny placed a cup of hot cocoa in front of me. It even had cinnamon on it. "Here ya go." She said. "thank you, but I did not order that."
"yeah, I know. You have an admirer." She looked behind me and I spotted Graham. I placed the paper down, picked up the cocoa and made my way to him. "Ah, so you decided to stay?" he said as I approached "observant—important for a cop."
"it's good news for our tourist business, its bad news for our local signage." I looked at him unamused
"it's-it's a joke." Still unamused. "because you ran over the sign." I cut the explanation short
"look, the cocoa was a nice gesture, and I am impressed that you guessed that I like cinnamon on my chocolate, cause most people don't, but I am not here to flirt, so thank you. But no, thank you." I placed my cup down slowly preparing to turn away when "I didn't send it." I had no time to be mortified by my assumption because henry popped his head up from the next booth, where was this kid before I embarrassed myself? "I did. I like cinnamon too."
"don't you have school?" I asked perplexed "duh. I'm 10. Walk me." He said getting out of the booth and putting his backpack on
When we got outside I started talking. "so, what's the deal with your mom?"
"it's not about us. It's about her curse." I started playing with the apple as we walked tossing it from and to hand "we have to break it. Luckily, I have a plan." He continued.
"step one—identification. I call it operation cobra." I stopped apple tossing, "cobra? That has nothing to do with fairy tales."
"exactly. It's a code name to throw the queen off the trail."
I thought for a second, "so everyone here is a fairy tale character—they just don't know it?" I asked to see if I was getting all of this "that's the curse." He relented "times been frozen, until you got here." I brought the apple I was holding to my lips taking in what he said, "HEY!" he yelled. I brought it down from my face. "where'd you get that?" I looked at it to see if there was a worm or something "your mom?" I asked/stated confused. "DON'T EAT THAT." He grabbed the fruit from my hand and chucked it behind us. I stared at my discarded apple and thought about how I was looking forward to eating it.
"o-okay. Uh, all right, what about their pasts?"
"they don't know. It's a haze to them. Ask anyone anything, and you'll see."
I looked ahead still not quite grasping the situation. "So, for decades, people have been walking around in a haze, not aging, with screwed-up memories, stuck in a cursed town that kept them oblivious."
I looked to him. "I knew you'd get it. That's why we need you. You're the only one that can stop her curse." I cut him off before he could go on, "because I'm the daughter of snow white and prince charming-" he cut me off this time. "yes, and right now we have the advantage. My mom doesn't know that." He pulled out ripped pages from his book then went on. "I took out the end the part with you in it." He handed them over to me and I looked at a drawing of man holding a baby with the name Emma written in script on her blanket. "See your mom is Snow White."
"aw, kid." I replied. "I know the hero never believes at first. If they did it wouldn't be a very good story."
I looked forward as he continued, I didn't realize the state of his mental health till now and it made me incredibly sad.
"if you need proof, take them, read them, but whatever you do, don't let her see these pages. They're dangerous. If she finds out who you are… it would be bad." We walked for a minute in silence and then I heard kids shrieking "I'll find you later and we can get started." He sped up and then turned around while he walked. "I knew you'd believe me!" he smiled. "I never said I did!" I yelled playfully back at him.
"why else would you be here?" he turned around again and ran in the building. I smiled, catching a glimpse of Mary-Margret.
She walked over to me and started "it's good to see his smile back." I looked down at the floor.
"I didn't do anything." I stated truthfully. "you stayed." She stated. "So, does the mayor know you're still here?" she asked kindly. "oh, she knows. What is her deal? She's not a great people person. How did she get elected?" I've been dying to ask another adult that question since she turned from 'caring mother' to 'scary bitch' in .02 seconds. "She's been mayor as long as I can remember." That statement made me think of what henry told me on our walk, about how their past is a haze. But I quickly ignored it as Mary went on "no one's ever been brave enough to run against her. She inspires quite a bit of…" she looked down trying to think of the right word to use. "well, fear. I'm afraid I only made things worse by giving henry that book. Now he thinks she's the evil queen."
"who does he think you are?" she laughed "oh, it's silly."
"I just got five minutes of silly. Lay it on me."
She shook her head from side to side like she knew what she was going to say was ridiculous. "Snow White." I felt another pang of weirdness when she said that. I pushed it down again. "who does he think you are?" I don't know why I did but I lied to her. "I'm not in the book." I guess I didn't want her to feel uncomfortable that he would think I was her daughter. "can I ask you a favor? Regina mentioned the kids in therapy. Do you know where I can find the doctor?" she gave me the address and I was on my way. I entered the building and walked to the front desk. "I'm here to see Dr. Hopper?" the woman behind the table was unamused as she waved her hand to signify that I could just walk in.
I knocked and entered. "hey." I started. "Emma Swan. I was, uh, just reading about you." He got up from his seat and grabbed the paper. I had a strong feeling that if he was someone else it probably would've been rude the way they said it but he came off very friendly. "let me guess, you're here for help with a little post-traumatic stress?" he joked. "that diagnosis was free by the way." I chuckled. "No, I'm here about Henry." He looked down. "I'm sorry, I-I-I really shouldn't-" I cut him off. "I know. I'm sorry. Just tell me something?" I walked closer and saw my hands move a tad dramatically as I spoke. "this fairy tale obsession—what is causing it? I mean he thinks everyone is a character in his book. That's… crazy."
He smiled a caring smile, and spoke. "I hope you don't talk that way in front of him. The word crazy is, um, quite damaging. These stories… they're his language. He has no idea how to express complex emotions, so he's translating the best he can. This is how he communicates, and he's using this book to help deal with his problems." I understood what he was saying, "but he got the book a month ago. Has he been seeing you longer than that?" he placed his hands in his pockets. "um… yes, he has."
"So, it's Regina, isn't it?" I asked. "uh, his mother is a… very complicated woman, and, uh, over the years, her attempts to try and bring Henry closer have only backfired." I thought about that for a second. He walked over to his desk and ruffled through some papers "why don't you take a look at the file? Um, see what I mean." He handed me the mound of paper. "why are you doing this?" I questioned.
"well, he talks about you a lot. And you're very important to him." I went to take the file. "thank you." I said showing my appreciation. "just, uh, see that I get it back. Okay?" he walked me to the door and spoke when I got there. "Miss Swan. For the sake of the boy, be careful how you handle his belief system. Destroying his imagination would be—be devastating." I left having a lot to process I kept the file by my side as I walked to granny's bed and breakfast. I soon after was in my room and reading about henry.
REGINA POV
Any minute now Ms. Swan will be with Archibald and my plan will be in full swing, I look down at the paper work in front of me and start it, it will be a good distraction while I wait for the confirmation call
*about 34 minutes later*
*ring ring*
Finally.
"Hello." I stated.
"you were right she was just here."
"did she take the file?"
"yes. How-how did you know she was gonna come here?"
I smiled at my brilliance.
"because I'm the one who gave the idea."
EMMA POV
I heard a knock at my door and rolled my eyes, I had just started the 5th page of Dr. Hoppers analysis and I was not in the mood for Regina's bullshit right now. I put down the page, walked to the door and when I opened it I was surprised. It wasn't Regina. It was British Sherriff. I guess I was a little disappointed but let's ignore that feeling.
I started us off. "Hey there… If you're concerned about the "do not disturb" signs, don't worry. I've left them alone." I placed my hand on my hip while he started. "actually, I'm here about Dr. Archibald Hopper." I wasn't expecting that. He continued. "He mentioned you got into a bit of a row with him earlier?" I felt my hands go to my sides. "No." I stated truthfully and a little annoyed. "I was shocked, too, given your shy, delicate sensibilities." I huffed out a laugh as he went on. "he says you demanded to see Henry's files and when he refused, you came back a stole them."
"he gave them to me." I said slowly. "alas, he's telling a different tale. May I check your room, or must I get a search warrant?" I turned around into the room sighed a 'fuckin' Regina hating sigh' I opened the door and fully let him in. "this what you're looking for?" I gestured to the bed where everything was sprawled out. "well, you're very accommodating." I smiled a fake tight-lipped smile and he shifted to get something out of his pocket.
"I'm afraid, Ms. Swan, you're under arrest…" wait huh? "again." He whispered. As he put the cuffs on I spoke. "you know I'm being set up, don't you? The handcuffs clicked closed. "And who, may I ask, is setting you up?" I wanted to roll my eyes. I left in cuffs and soon I was back in my personal cell.
REGINA POV
I walked to Henry's school with a mission. Snow- I mean- Mary was teaching outside today and I cleared my throat to get her attention. She shot up and walked over to me. "May I speak with my son?" I asked.
"We're in the middle of a lesson. Is it important?" I felt myself get annoyed. "Do you think I'd be here if it wasn't?" I turned to Henry without waiting for her response. I brought him over by the picnic area the school has. "Henry, sweetie, I have some bad news." I bent down to eye level. "The woman who you brought here—she's been arrested. She broke into Dr. Hopper's office and stole his files. She's a con woman. She's trying to learn about us in order to take advantage of us. That's why she's sticking around. I'm sorry." He looked disgusted at my words "No, you're not." In my own way, I am sorry. Not about slandering Miss Swan, but about the fact I had to hurt my son. Yes, I was sorry. "I know you think otherwise, but all I'm doing is trying to protect you. This is gonna be good for us. You'll see. Things will be better." the school bell rang out. "I gotta get back to class." He walked passed me and I felt like crap about myself.
EMMA POV
"You know the shrink is lying, right?" the camera Graham was using to take my picture stuttered, clicked and flashed. I blinked at the light. "to the right, please. Why would he lie?" Another click and flash. "the mayor put him up to this. She's gotta have something on him. He's terrified of her like everyone else in this…" I turned forward once more. "town." I finished. "to the left." He pointed and I turned, "Regina may be…" the camera flashed again. "a touch intimidating," he continued and I looked at him. A touch? "but I don't think she'd go as far as a frame job." He ripped out the freshly printed mug shots. "How far would she go? What does she have her hands in?" he replied quickly "well, she's the mayor. She has her hands in everything." I looked at him knowingly. "including the police force?" I said referring to a possible sexual relationship between Miss Madam Mayor and himself. I heard the door open and close. "Hey!" I turned to hear henry, close behind him was Mary-Margret. "Henry. Henry what are you doing here?" Graham asked. "his mother told him what happened."
"Of course, she did." I looked over at the sheriff then to Henry himself "Henry, I don't know what she said-" he cut me off. "You're a genius." Wait. "what?" I asked. "I know what you were up to." I cocked my head to the side "you were gathering intel…" I looked a little shocked "for operation cobra?" Graham spoke next. "I'm sorry I'm a bit lost." He looked over at me and henry continued. "it's need-to-know, sheriff, and all you need to know is that Ms. Blanchard's gonna bail her out. Caught Mary-Margret's eye. "you are? Why?" I asked perplexed. "she shifted. "I, uh, trust you." Henry gave me a 'see she's your mom look and I ignored it "Well, if you can uncuff me I have something to do." I held out my arms and waited.
REGINA POV
I was doing paper work at my desk. I heard a motor rumbling from behind my office and I shot up from my desk and looked out the window. It's was Miss Swan with a fucking chainsaw. Cutting down my fucking apple tree, after the huge branch she destroyed she looked up at my window. I sped down to where she was, feeling so angry I'm surprised there wasn't smoke coming off me "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" I screamed over the chainsaw. As I approached closer she threw the huge cutting tool behind her and spoke too confidently for my liking "Picking apples." I got closer. "You're out of your mind."
"no, you are. If you think a shoddy frame job's enough to scare me off. You're gonna have to do better than that." She went on, stepping forward "you come after me one more time, I'm coming back for the rest of this tree. Because, sister, you have no idea what I'm capable of." I clenched my jaw into a smile I couldn't control. I haven't had a challenge like this in forever I felt tingly and angry. I watched her walk away "Your move." She said. My move indeed Miss Swan.
EMMA POV
I unlocked my door and walked forward, "Ms., Swan." I turned around to see granny. "Oh, my, this is terribly awkward." I stepped toward her giving my full attention while she went on. "I need to ask you to leave." Huh? "I'm afraid we have a no-felons rule." I rolled my eyes and laughed in my head. Regina. "it turns out it's a city ordinance." I smiled at the floor. "Let me guess—the mayor's office just called to remind you." Her face said it all. "you can gather your things, but I need to have your room key back."
I extended my arm and handed it over in dumbfound amusement. The odd thing is, I'm not even mad.
REGINA POV
I can't believe I'm on my fucking hands and knees for Miss Swan.
Picking up fucking apples.
Fuck her.
I turned my head slightly and Graham had arrived, I had called him after she had destroyed my prized fucking tree with a fucking chainsaw. Then I had my office call the inn and remind that old bitty that there is a no-felons ordinance. After that I Booted her car.
"she destroyed city property." I sat up on my knees and practically threw the apple I was holding in the wooden carrier. "I want her arrested." I turned to the basket to grab it and started getting up. "again?" he said stupidly. I looked back "what are you waiting for?" I looked at him like the fucking idiot that he is.
"I'm just not convinced arresting her is the right plan," I shot up from the ground and faced him. "and I'm not talking about your tree. We both know she didn't steal those files."
"Oh, do we?" I said just as condescendingly as I intended. "I mean, she looked pretty shocked when I leveled the charges against her."
I turned back to my basket I abandoned on the floor "guess she doesn't like being caught."
"or because she was set up." Don't say something you'll regret, Graham. "and if she was, that means Dr. Hopper was lying. And if he's lying, that means that someone asked him to." I turned to face him again. "are we really confident that the man's conscience won't eventually get the best of him?"
"I think your schoolboy crush is clouding your judgment. Remember, I made you sheriff, and I can take it away just as easily."
"you want me to arrest her again, I will."
"good."
I turned back to my apples again. "But she's gonna keep coming at you, and I know you—you're gonna keep coming at her. And you will do whatever it takes to get her out of here, and you may succeed.
I whipped around again "NO, I will succeed." I stood taller than I've stood all day. "He's my son. It's what's best for him."
"I know that's what you believe. Okay? But if this escalates, it seems to me the only one who will get hurt is Henry." He's right.
I think I know how to get rid of Swan for good.
EMMA POV
I grabbed my over shirt from the room along with my keys my jacket and the pages Henry had given me. I exited the inn and slipped into the sleeves, as I reached my car which, surprise, surprise was booted. I heard my phone ring.
"yeah." Regina's voice sounded out. "Miss. Swan, I'd be happy to continue demonstrating my power, but am I right in guessing your resolve to stay is only growing?"
"you have no idea." I opened my car and put my shit in it.
"well, then, I think it's time we made peace. Why don't you drive over to my office?" I slammed my door shut. "or walk-whatever suits you." I hung up and made my way over.
REGINA POV
"I'd like to start by apologizing, Miss Swan." I smoothed my dress and sat across from her.
"what?" she asked unconvinced. "I just have to accept the reality that you want to be here…"
She cut me off. "that's right, I do."
"and that you're here to take my son from me." She cut me off again. "okay, let's be clear. I have no intention of taking him from anyone."
"well then what are you doing here?" I asked genuinely
"I know I'm not a mother—I think that's pretty self-evident—but I did have him, and I can't help it—he got in my head and I want to make sure he's okay. The more you try and push me out, the more I want to be her, especially after seeing how troubled he is." My plan is working so far, he should be home any second now "you think he's troubled?"
"well, he's in therapy, and I only got through a couple of pages of his shrink's notes before you had me arrested, but putting all that aside—he thinks everyone in this town is a fairy tale character." She has no clue who she is. "and you don't?"
"how can I? the poor kid can't tell the difference between fantasy and reality, and its only getting worse. It's crazy." And there it is just on time.
EMMA POV
"you think I'm crazy?" oh my god henry. He was not supposed to hear that.
"Henry." He ran away and I got up to chase him. But it's not my place. Not yet.
"how long was he there?" I asked still not turned around. "long enough." she responded.
"you knew he would be here."
"did I know that my son comes to my office every Thursday at precisely 5:00 p.m. so I can take him for dinner before his therapy session? of course I did… I'm his mother." She rested both her arms on the armrests of her chair and really looked like an evil villain. "your move." She stated. I turned my full body at her with my hands on my hips. "you have no soul. How in the hell did you get like this?" I left without another word and I felt her stare daggers into the back of my head.
REGINA POV
I know how I got like this. Snow white made me this way. She's the reason my true love died and the reason I had to murder my father. I thought back to the day I told my fater what needed to be done and I started to cry.
EMMA POV
I did some digging to see where Mary-Margret lived. I needed to thank her and pay her back for bailing me out before I leave for good. If henry doesn't want me here there's no reason to be here. I knocked and waited. She pulled open the door and I felt like I was going to cry. "Hey." I started. "I just wanted to say thank you and, um..." I extended my arm "pay you back the bail money." I looked down and sighed nodding my goodbyes.
"you look like you need to talk."
She invited me in and made me cocoa. I took a sip and was pleasantly surprised. "Cinnamon?" I asked while she came to sit.
"oh. I'm sorry. I should have asked. It's a little quirk of mine. Do you mind?"
"not at all."
She offered me the cookies she placed down. "no, thanks." I said politely
She got comfortable in her seat and I continued. "when you bailed me out, you said that you trusted me. Why?" I asked. She smiled down at her plate with a small laugh. "it's strange—ever since you arrived here, I've had the oddest feeling like we met before. I mean, I know it's crazy…"
"I'm starting to reevaluate my definition of crazy." I replied
"for what it's worth, I think you're innocent."
"of breaking and entering or just in general?"
"whichever makes you feel better."
She took a sip from her hot chocolate and I chuckled.
"doesn't really matter what anyone thinks I did or didn't do. I'm leaving. Thank you for everything, but I think it's for the best. If I stay Henry's only gonna keep getting hurt."
"what happens if you go?" she asked. We looked at each other knowing either way Henry is going to hurt. "I think the very fact that you want to leave, is why you have to stay. You care about him. Who will protect Henry if you won't?"
I sped my way to Dr. Hoppers office. Henry should be in therapy right now and there's no way I'm letting him stay sad when I'm the one who caused it. I didn't bother checking with the front desk lady and just walked straight to the office door and opened it. "Ms. Swan… look I can explain. The mayor forced me-"
I cut him off. "I know, don't worry I get it." I said just wanting to speak to Henry. "Henry, I'm sorry-"
"I don't want to talk to you." Archie cut me off before I could respond "if she knew you were here-"
"to hell with her." I told him cutting him out of Henry and I's conversation. I sat down across from him. "Henry, there is one simple reason I stayed here—you. I wanted to get to know you."
"you think I'm crazy."
"no, I think the curse is crazy, and it is." I sighed. "but that doesn't mean that it isn't true." He was starting to come around and I went on. "It is a lot to ask anyone to believe in, but there are a lot of crazy things in this world. So, what do I know? Maybe it is true." But you told my mom-" I cut him off "what she needed to hear… what I do know… is that if the curse is real, the only way to break it is by tricking the evil queen… into thinking we are nonbelievers, cause that way, she's not on to us. Isn't that what operation cobra was all about?" he smiled, "throwing her off the trail?" I ended. He sat up. "brilliant." He said. "I read the pages, and Henry you're right they are dangerous. There is only one way to make sure that she never sees these." I got up and placed the papers in the fire. "now we have the advantage" I said turning back around, he ran and gave me a hug I was shocked at first but fully embraced him back. "I knew you were here to help me." I rubbed the back of his head and responded. "that's right, kid. I am." We broke apart the hug and I held him by the shoulders. "and nothing, not even a curse, is gonna stop that."
REGINA POV
It was dark out as I continued to clean the pig-sty Swan had left. "What a mess." I heard Rumple and turned to him "not for long. What can I do for you Mr. Gold?"
"I was just in the neighborhood, thought I'd pop by. Lovely to see you in such high spirits." He limped around me and checked out the tree.
I laughed. "well, it's been a good day. I just rid the town of an unwanted nuisance." I put my hands together contently, "Emma Swan? really?" I tuned to face him again "yes, I imagine she's half way to Boston by now." He picked a ripe apple off the tree and laughed, "I wouldn't bet on that." I dropped my hands. And he waddled toward me. "I've just seen her strolling down the main street with your boy. Thick as thieves, they looked."
"what?"
"perhaps you should have come to me. if Ms. Swan is a problem you can't fix, I'm only too happy to help, for a price, of course." I chuckled and shook my head. "I'm not in the business of making deals with you anymore." I turned to my tree, "to witch deal are you referring?" I looked back to him. "you know what deal." It hasn't been confirmed but I'm pretty sure he knows about the curse. "oh, right, yeah… the boy I procured for you… Henry. Did I ever tell you what a lovely name that was? How ever did you pick it?" if he knew about the curse he'd remember my father. The way he's asking though is like he already knows. I walked at him. "did you want her to come to town? You wanted all this to happen, didn't you? Your finding Henry wasn't an accident, was it?" What ever do you mean?"
"where did you get him?" he smiled.
"do you know something?"
"I have no idea what you're implying."
"I think you do." He grinned again
"who is this woman, his mother, this… Emma Swan?" I was full of steady rage just pushing her name out.
"I would say you think you know exactly who she is." He does remember. And that means she's the savior. "I really must be going." He turned to walk away and a sped in front of him. "tell me what you know about her." He stopped. "I'm not gonna answer you, dear, so I suggest you excuse me." I stood still. "please." He added crunching the apple he picked. I didn't move and he walked around me. Leaving me alone with confirmation that Emma Swan is the savior.